Page 73 of The Case of the Missing Love Stone

Pepper pulls out reports, sample photographs, and hand-labeled collection charts. “I ran ordinary samples from my bio collection: marsh grass, algae, water, cattail roots, and pond muck from three collection points.”

“And?” Wes asks.

Pepper looks at me first. “They all show trace compounds I didn’t expect to find. I need to compare them directly with your lab report before I can say more.”

Roman takes the top sheet. “The concentrations are low.”

“Low, but present at multiple sites.”

Wes studies the map. “Enough to justify broader environmental testing.”

Pepper nods. “Yes. Not enough to tell us the source or how long it has been there.”

Tom looks from Pepper’s reports to the vandalized greenhouse, then back at me. “This may be bigger than the theft,” he says.

“Yes,” Wes replies.

Tom exhales and runs a hand along the brim of his hat. “Damn it.”

“That the official sheriff’s position?” I ask.

His mouth pulls at one corner without becoming a smile. “For now.”

Roman taps the edge of Pepper’s map. “The east marsh should be sampled before festival traffic spreads farther into the water routes.”

Tom looks toward the swamp. “I can’t authorize deputies into protected marsh without paperwork, not that fast.”

“No one asked you to,” Wes says.

Tom cuts his gaze back to him. “I’m also not going to pretend I don’t know where you’re headed.”

I step between them before the porch turns into an alpha pissing contest. “Tom.”

He looks at me.

“I’m going whether you like it or not.”

His voice lowers. “That’s what worries me.”

His sincerity hurts as much as his suspicion.

Tom folds the photocopy back into his folder. “I’ll log the vandalism and keep the council off your porch as long as I can.”

“As long as you can,” I say.

“That’s the best I’ve got.” He steps off the porch, then pauses near the bottom stair. “Scarlet.”

I brace myself.

“If you find proof your grandmother knew more than she told people, don’t hide it because it hurts.”

The words land cruelly because they aren’t meant to be.

Roman’s thumb moves once across my knuckles.

I lift my chin. “I learned a long time ago that hiding things doesn’t stop this town from inventing worse.”

Tom nods once. “Be careful out there.”